The Rialto Knights will head out to face off against the Eisenhower Eagles at 3:45 p.m. on Friday. Rialto will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each contest than the last.
Rialto will bounce into Friday's match after beating Bloomington, who they had gone 0-4 against in their four prior meetings. The Knights were the clear victors by a 14-4 margin over the Bruins on Wednesday.
Desiree Saldate was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with five RBI, two runs, and one triple. Another player making a difference was Milenni Rodriguez, who scored three runs and stole a base while going 2-for-3.
Saldate wasn't the only one working in the hit department: Rialto kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 15 hits. The Knights are a perfect 3-0 when they post 11 or more hits.
Meanwhile, Eisenhower earned a 7-4 victory over San Gorgonio back in March.
Jenna Vallin was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out six batters over seven innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off five hits (and not a single walk). Those hits were her first of the season. She was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring two runs while going 4-for-4. What's more, she posted three RBI, the most she's had since back in March of 2024.
In other batting news, Milani Paige was a standout: she went 3-for-5 with two runs and one triple. That triple was her first of the season. Monica Esparza was another key player, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and one double.
Eisenhower pushed their record up to 4-2 with the win, which was their third straight on the road. Those road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.0 runs on average over those games. As for Rialto, their record now sits at 3-8.
Friday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Rialto hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .344. However, it's not like Eisenhower struggles in that department as they've averaged .405. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Rialto might still be hurting after the 14-6 loss they got from Eisenhower in their previous meeting back in March of 2024. Can the Knights avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
